The Richland County Dog Shelter has been doing a great job -- it has been almost three years since the shelter has had to put down a dog due to lack of space. And they are continuing to try to save the dogs that come through their doors.

But right now, the Richland County Dog Shelter is in a critical state. There are no empty cages in their larger breed kennels. The shelter currently has 70 dogs, but only 45 large breed kennels and 14 medium kennels. Thirty of the dogs are pit bull mixes, which sadly get such a bad rap. And more dogs keep coming in.

As the shelter says: “If you are thinking of adopting a dog please consider a larger breed or pittie, we have many wonderful dogs who deserve a loving home. The saying ‘you can't teach an old dog new tricks’ is an old wives tail. These dogs would be forever devoted if someone would just give them a chance at a forever home. Our shelter is highly rescue friendly and willing to work with approved rescues on fees. Many of our dogs are already spayed/neutered. We have a very caring staff who is willing to answer any and all questions as well as do any dog/cat testing needed. Please help us! Don't let any of these wonderful dogs needlessly lose their lives!”

Scroll down to see photos of just some of the nice adoptable dogs. The large-sized dogs are especially urgent, although dogs of all sizes are available, including hounds, beagles, a rat terrier, Jack Russell terrier, Pekingese and a lot more!

If you are able to adopt or rescue any of the dogs, please email the Richland County Dog Warden at richlandcountydogs@yahoo.com to request an application, or visit the shelter.

RCDW longest residents

Some of the longest residents of the Richland County Dog Shelter include Gordie, Lois Lane, Howl, Honcho, Malachi, Remy, Hugo, Cassanova, Shelby, Don Juan, Martin, Moose, Blaze, Aria, Polly and Lucky. Please share to help them find good homes.

MalachiRCDW

Malachi

Malachi is a super nice boy and is just adorable. He is about two years old and weighs about 50 lbs. This sweet pit bull passed his dog test so will make a great pet. Malachi is playful and smart and knows several basic commands. So, the mystery is, why is this great dog still at the shelter? Malachi was neutered in March and is heartworm negative.

Note: Clicking on any of the names on this list will bring up that dogs information on Petfinder

HugoRCDW

Hugo

Male Pit Bull Labrador Retriever mix Hugo is a happy and fun loving guy. Hugo is such a clown, he will keep his new family entertained. But Hugo is not doing well in the shelter environment. Please share him to help him get a home of his own. He is very smart, knows several commands, and loves cuddling up in his bed.

Lois LaneRCDW/Shot-n-Framed Photography

Lois Lane

Pretty female Pit Bull Terrier Lois Lane has been at the shelter since September 2013. She is a sweet girl who was scared at first but is slowly getting better. Please spread the word to help Lois Lane and the other dogs at the shelter find adopters or rescues

GordieRCDW

Gordie

Gordie is a mystery breed, possibly Hound and Labrador Retriever mix, but he’s not a large dog, weighing only 35 pounds. Gordie was picked up as a stray in August 2013, and no dog should spend so much of their life at a shelter. He is friendly with a great personality, although he should be the only male dog in the house.

HowlRCDW/Shot-n-Framed

Howl

Howl is another long-time resident. He is a Shepherd and Blue Lacy mix who came to the shelter as a stray in October 2013. Howl is a friendly boy and very sweet. The shelter reports that he doesn’t do well with some male dogs, even though while at the vets on neuter day, he and another male dog named Hugo actually cuddled up together. Please give this sweet boy a chance and contact the shelter about Howl.

ShelbyRCDW/Shot-n-Framed

Shelby

Shelby is a pit bull/boxer mix who has been at the shelter since February 2014. She is approximately one year old and weighs about 55 lbs. Shelby is a pretty girl, with a lot of energy (she’d make a great agility dog), and she is full of life. As the shelter says, she is “sure to keep you entertained with my antics. Come on in and check me out for yourself. I just know you will LOVE me.”

Shelby passed her dog test and is ready to go home with you today.

MartinRCDW

Martin

Here is sweet senior Labrador Retriever Martin, who ended up at the shelter after being spotted running around in the terrible cold this past February. He was caught by Shelby police and brought into the warmth of the shelter, where this poor boy has been ever since. Martin is smart, and he already knows the commands sit, shake, lay down, and speak! Martin is a wonderful dog, but can be slightly food aggressive. (Who can blame him for that after not having a good food source while on the run.) So the shelter recommends he not be adopted to a home with small kids. Martin also has seizures, which is corrected by taking medicine to prevent them. He is such a great dog, hopefully people will see that and adopt this nice boy.

RemyRCDW/Shot-n-Framed

Remy

This cutie is Remy, a young male pit bull terrier/greyhound mix. Remy was really scared when he came to the shelter as a stray in January 2104, but now he is doing just fine according to the shelter. Remy is approximately one year old and weighs 50 lbs. He is another young dog that is full of energy and life and would possibly make a good agility dog. Remy has passed his dog test, so head on over to the shelter to meet him.

AriaRCDW

Aria

Female pit bull terrier mix Aria has the most darling ears! She was picked up by the deputy in March after she was found running around a trailer park in Lexington. Aria is very sweet and knows basic commands. And she is a wiggler! The shelter says she looks like she’s had many litters of puppies, but those days are behind her, and its time for her to be treated like the baby now. And she also knows "sit pretty." Once you meet her and she cuddles up in your lap, you won't want to go home without Aria.

LizzieRCDW

Lizzie

Lizzie came to the shelter as a stray in April 2014. She must have belonged to someone, since she came to the shelter wearing a harness. Lizzie is a pretty adult pit bull mix that is a bit scared and a little grouchy, according to the shelter. But who knows, maybe that's just because she's missing her family. If you can help Lizzie, please contact the shelter.

BonesRCDW

Bones

Bones is a darling pit bull terrier boy with a sad story. In June 2013, Bones ended up in the shelter with his buddy Dakota. Their owner came for the dogs, then gave the dogs away. And here they are, at the shelter again. As the shelter says, it doesn't look like anyone is coming for the dogs this time. Bones needs a new home that will love and keep him forever.

LuckyRCDW

Lucky

Young male pit bull/cattle dog mix Lucky is unique. He is gorgeous, with a nice coat and a great smile. Lucky came to the shelter as a stray in March 2014. Lucky is young so he has a lot of energy. Or maybe he is just anxious to get out of the shelter and into a home of his very own, where he can run around and snuggle up to his new family.

HunterRCDW

Hunter

Hunter is a handsome young male pit bull mix. He has been at the shelter since March 2014, when the police dropped him off with another dog. Hunter is a very sweet, calm, shy boy. Hunter loves belly rubs and rolling around, and has a video to prove it. Watch his video here, and you’ll fall in love with Hunter!

Note: many of the other dogs have videos, too. Watch on their Petfinder pages, also on Richland County Dog Warden's Office & Shelter Facebook page.

Flower (injured) RCDW

Flower (injured)

What happened to you, Flower? Pretty pit bull mix Flower came to the shelter as a stray in April 2014. She arrived with multiple scars and wounds, and with swelling around her neck and chin. The shelter rushed her to the vet, and she is improving after being put on medication. While the shelter doesn't know her story, they do know that Flower is a sweet and friendly girl. She seems to get a long with dogs in passing. Flower is still young, less than two years old. Now she just needs a good home where she'll be safe.

Lamb (pregnant)RCDW

Lamb (pregnant)

How cute is collie mix girl Lamb. This girl came to the shelter as a stray in April 2014. Since Lamb is pregnant, she is rescue only. Lamb is a small/medium size. She weighs about 30 lbs. Lamb craves affection and loves to be by your side at all times. What is better than that? Come on, rescuers, please step up to help Lamb and her babies.

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Joyce Fields is an avid animal lover. Her pets have all been adopted from kill shelters. Joyce uses social media to educate on animal welfare and animal issues, and to help shelter pets find good homes. You may contact Joyce with your stories and/or questions.